Attorn



Feb. 14, 1928.

, J. A. MITCHELL ET AL PRINTING AND REGISTERING MECHANISM FOR MAILING MACHINES Filed Nov. 14. 192-? 3 Sheets-Sheet l L n 7 L H 2 W 9 2 w A 2 i 6 Z Y I 7 s" n E W l N 1 l N c o I N n NH )ll 0 W N N A II I I 1 w |l\ .1 A O m. .2 a .l v B F 6 0/ J n, bl N i 4 o 7 I. u x W6 9 7 W O xvii a 6 VJ v I KR .l 7 0- my in. 5 a. m J L O w Y w o I 1 -\u. -w wwmw. u. U F a rz w c 7.

Feb. 14, 1928.

J. A. MITCHELL ET AL PRINTING AND REGISTERING MECHANISM FOR MAILING MACHINES INVENTORS 3 She etS-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 14, 1924 Jonu A. MITCHELL- ATTORNEY Feb. 14, 1928.

J. A. MITCHELL ET AL PRINTING AND REGISTERING MECHANISM FOR MAILING MACHINES Filed Nov. 14, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS JOHN A. MITCHELL. BYLAWRENCYE J. 2mmx. 22 AITORNE Patented Feb. 14.19%.

UNITED stares Parser Fri- JOHN A. MITCHELL, 0F NEWARK, NEW JE ISLAND CITY, NEW? YGRK, FANY, OF BEOOKLYFT, NEW YORK.

near, Ann Lawnnnon J. ZAHN, or LONG assIenoR-s T0 rw'rnanarionat POSTAL sUrPLY oomrnrurnve AND nners rnmne MECHANISM non MAILING ivmonruns.

Application filed November 14, 1924. Serial No. 749,961.

nient has a complete record of the number of pieces of mail matter which have passed through the machine. Such a combination machine is shown and described in our applications Serial Nos. 748,33 and 748,379, tiled November 7, 1924i.

it is the principal object of our invention to providea combination printing or post marking device, and a meter or register, which performs the registering functions above outlined.

Another object of our invention is to provide a combination device in which the registering mechanism is automatically locked after the number of pieces of mail, which pass through the machine, coincide with the k. postal authorities.

Another object of our invention is to pro vide an apparatus which is substantially fool proof so that the mechanism cannotbe tampered with by any unauthorized personsince it is to be understood that meters or registers of this Character are always under the supervision oi the Government postal authorities. i

ilinother object ofour invention is simplify, thereby cheapen the cost of production of such a combination apparatus, while, at the same time, retainine the essential teatureia which are necessary for the successful operation of the device.

These and other objects will beapparent setting of the meter as established by the to one skilled in this art from a study of ill? specification, taken in connection with the annexed drawings, wherein JQLH'G- l. is a plan view of the combinw tionapparatus with a section of the casing Figure 5 is an end elevation of the look ingmechanism in released position, while Figure 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but with thelock in locking position.

Figure resetting trol.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of Fig. 7 Figure 9 is anend view of one of the to talizing or lower counter units. 7

Figure 10 is a View of one of the pinions tor the units shown in Figs. 7 and 9. Figure 11 is a sectional view through the printing part of the machine, but withthe printing die turned slightly from its normal position.

wheels showing the ratchet con- 7 is a sectional View of oneof the Figure 12 is a fragmentary plan view of the die tripping mechanism.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary side elevation of the trip mechanism shown in Fig. 12.

Figure 14 is a plan view of the bottom of the die member shown in Fig. 11, and the trip lever in normalposition tohold the die from rotating. i Figure 15 is a fragmentary viewshowing the means of locking the cover'to the casing, while i Figure 16 is a side view of Fig. 15.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to corresponding parts in their various views, 1 is a casting preferably of suitable cast metal having a pocket 2, within which is positioned thedie printing mechansm as'shown clearly'in Figsq2 and,

11. The die,per se, is of a construction similar to that shown in Jahn Patent 856,345 issued June 11, 1907; likewise the trip mechanism, which controls the operation of the printing die, is of the same type as that shown in the said: Jahn patent. Our improvement, so far as the printing feature is concerned, resides in the assembly of this printing device as will be clearly understood by what "follows: i 1 v The casing 1, supports a pair of bearings 3 and l. Bearing 3 supports a spindle 5 on which a driving gear 6 is securely mounted. Spindle 5 supports a driving shaft 7 which is automatically connected with a driving gear on the machine through the medium of a slot 8, all as described in our co-pending application hereinbefore referred to. Between the shaft end 7 and the sleeve 5 is a washer 9 of suitable friction material,

such as cork, that constitutes a part of the friction clutch, the balance of the clutch being obtained between the clutch member 10, which is similar to 9, and the lower flange 11 of the member 12. The member 12 carries a cross pin 13 which ope ates in a slot 1% out in the upper end of the shaft 7. hilcmher 15 rests against the pin 13 and through the mediumof a spring 16 and set screw 17, the pressure of the flange 11, against the friction member 10, that is seated on the upper end 18 of the die 19, can be varied to contain the proper action of the printing mechanism. It is to be understood that the bearing 1 is held in place in the casing by a locking member 20 which is shown as screw threaded into the casing 1. This construction of distributing the clutching e'llort at two places provides a smoother acting and more positive clutch arrangement beside reducing and simplifying the number of parts involved. The two flanges 18 and 21 ot the die 19 are held inposition by members shown in the form oi rivets 22 and 23. The rivet 22 being extended and ends in a head 24- which acts as a stop that engages a lever 25 carried on a pivot rod 26. In addition to the two parts 25 and 26, the trip Il'lCClltllllSlll consists of a trip tongue 27 which is adapted to be engaged by the envelope or piece of mail matter passing through the 'machlne. The trip tongue 27 is pivoted at 28 to a lever 29, and this inturn is pivoted to a lever 30. The trip tongue 27 is also hinged at 31v to the lever 32, between the two forks 33 and 3st. 35 is a-stop for the end oil the lever 82 when it is moved in one direction by the trip tongue 27, pivoted about the point 28, while 36 is a stop for the lever 32 when returned to its normal position by the spring 37. No further description of this trip mechanism seems to be necessary as this forms no part of our present invention and its operation will be clearly understood by a reading of the said John patent. 1

As will be seen, by reference to Fig. 2, the gear 6 on the printing mechanism, is in mesh with the gear 38 and this in turn is in mesh with a gear 39 to which is connected a worm 10, in mesh with a gear ell. Connected to the same shaft with the gear =11 is a gear 42. The same shaft also carries securely anchored thereto a gear 43. Meshing with the gear 42 is a gear i l carried on a sleeve 15 to which is also securely attached a gear 46. The gear a6 is operatively connected to the numeral wheel at? by means of a pawl 49 fastened to the gear 46, and a ratchet wheel 48 attached to the wheel 4". the pawl 49 being held in engagement with the ratchet wheel 48 by a spring 50. The side of the wheel 47 opposite to the gear 46 carries a plate 54:, the same as shown in Fig. 9, which plate, is common to all oil. the numeral wheels. Each of the numeral wheels containing ratchets of which there are six illustrated, are substantially identical in construction and outside of the right hand one, shown in Fig. 3, are all mounted loosely on a shaft which passes through the hole 51; each of the wheels l7 provided with a notch the purpose of which will llG later described. For driving the numeral wheels ell-7, other than the one connected directly, to the sleeve 4-5, the pinion o is prrwidcd. These pinions are in mesh with each of the wheels 16, other than the first one to the right in Fig. 3, which, it may be remarked, is shown so that the unit wheels it? with their associated gears 46 may be standard throughout the meter. llrcr r two teeth. such as 55.11111 the full length oi the pinion, while the intermediate tcel'h between the long ones 55, are considerably shorter and as the numeral wheels -17 turn, one of the long teeth 55 engages the single tooth of? on each of the numeral wheels thereby moving in the proper direction; its associated numeral wheel 47, it being understood that for 10 revolutions of the first wheel -17 to the right, in Fig. 3, operates the next wheel to the left, one step, and so on through the varlmls numeral wheels. The upper row of numeral wheels 47 are used for setting the amount of postage bought by the customer, and they run in opposite direction from the counting wheels 57, in the bottom row, or in other words, they count oil the total amount of postage which has been purchased and set up on the meter by adjusting the ninncral wheels 17 which hereinafter will be referred to. The bottom row ol coui'iters :77 are similar to counters 47, except they are not equipped with the ratchet wheel -18 and pawl 4:9 or the notches 52, otherwise they are siinilar to the wheels =17 and function through the same pinion 53, in the same i'nunner as has been described, with respect to the operation of the nunleral wheels 47.

Coming now to the locking arrangement by which the meter is securely locked, after the amount of postage indicated by the numeral wheels t? has been used up, a series of rollers 58 are loosely mounted on a. shaft 59 that is carried on a bar (30. The bar G0 is pivoted at 61 on a bracket 62. The bar (JO carries a plunger 3 which is carried in a fork G5 and held in position by a pin (i l. A spring 66 acts to hold the pin (ti against the barGO and also acts to assist in moving the plunger (33 to locking position. As will be obvious. should any one o if the rollers 58 be running on the surface (37, it being nnderstood that the numbers on the wheels are depressed below the si'irlace GT ol any one of the numeral wheels 47 the bar to will he held in the position shown in Fig. 1, but as soon as all of the numeral wheels 47 reach the position where the notches 52 are in alignment, all of the rollers 58 will drop -lll therein and the bar will move to the position shown in Fig. 6, and the plunger v63 will move into a slot 68 in the gear wheel38 thereby locking the registering mechanism against further movement, after which the clutch members in the printing die will begin to slip and will continue to do so until released against by the next piece of mail matter engaging the trip finger 27 as hereinbefore described. When the plunger 63 is drawn from the gear 38, in order to prevent the die from being turned and counting back on the registering mechanism, a ratchet 69 and pawl 70 held in position by a spring 71 are provided; it being understood that the gearing ratio between the gear 38 is such that 'lorevery revolution of the gear 6, due to the passage oi one piece of mail matter, this turns the ratchet 69 one third of revolution whereby the pawl 70 will be in engagement with one of the ratchet teeth. In order to set the numerals 47 to any given number corresponding to the postage bought by the customer,provision is made within the casing, atter it has been opened by the proper oflicial. for unlocking the reg" v i This unlocking means is illustrated in the nature of a lever 72 which acts directly on the bar 60to move it to the unlocking position whereby the rollers 58 are withdrawn from the notches 52 and plungers 63 from slot 68 in gear wheel 38 a :ter which each of the numeral wheels 4-? may be turned by hand to the proper number desired. In this connection it may be mentioned that the wheels 47 are set against the ratchet members 48 and d9 without disturbing the lower row of numeral wheels which act as total azers.

Having provided means for locking the registering and iirinting mechanism as described, means are provided for closing the meter so that the unlocking mechanism referred to cannot be tampered w'th. This means comprises a cover 73 vshown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. This cover is preferably pivoted at T l and has cars 75 which move into cooperative relationship with similar cars 76 within the casing 1 through which a pin 77 is inserted and a hole 78 is'provided for the insertion oi? a government so. It will be observed. from Fig. 2. that the cover provided with openings 79 which are covered with a suitable transparent member 80 in order that the numeral read ings ma be talccn from the outside of the meter. The form of the casing is such that these readings may be observed either trom the side or the top or the machine when the .tering meclnuusm.

meter is' installed according to our appli-' cation lltl'Gll'lbCfOlG referred to.

in a machine oi this character it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the various details. entering into its construction, and we, therefore, do notwish to be unduly limited in the scope. of our invention. i

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is: l

1. For a permit mail machine including; a- .mail stamping device, a tripping device actuated on passage of a piece of mail matter for controlling the stamping device, an oper-- ating member for the stamping device and means for locking the stamping device at a predetermined time; clutch members distributed a part at one end of saidstamplng device and a partnear the end of said operating member for permitting said operating member to. turn after said stamping device has been locked.

2. In a mechanism for a permit mail machine, a casing carrying groups of numeral wheels completely enclosed therein and a printing die having at least the die per se exposed to come into contact with passing mail matter; said casing carrying trip mechanism operated by the passing mail .to allow the dieto turn, means for turning the die including clutch" members; driving means between said groups olamnmral wheels. and the means for turning the die, and-means for locking said driving means against further forward movement only when all the wheels of one group of numeral wheels have been turned to zero.

In a mechanism for a permit mail machine a casing carrying two groups of numeral wheels, one group acting as total counters and the other acting as a metering group, said casing also carrying a printing die havingat least the die per se exposed to come into contact with passing mail matter; said casing carrying trip mechanism operated by the passing mail to allowthe die to turn, means for turning the die including clutch members, driving means between said groups of numeral wheels and the means torturning the die, and means for locking said driving means against further forward movement only when all the wheels of the metering group have beenturned to zero.

-l. In a mechanism for a permit mail machine, a casing carrying two groups of unmeral wheels, one group having its numeral wheels resettable for metering purposes while the other groupacts as total counters, said casing also carrying a printing die having at least the die per se exposed to come into contact with passing mail matter;

said casing carrying trip mechanism operated by the passing mail to allow the die to turn. means for turning. the die including clutch members, driving means between said and means for locking said 5. A mechanism as set forth in claim 3, in which the locking means comprises a bar carrying a plurality of detent members normally operating on a part of each numeral wheelin the metering group and adapted to drop into recess in said wheels, and a locking member carried by said bar and adapted to engageca cooperating portion of said driving means.

(3. A mechanism as set forth in claim 8, in which the locking means comprises; a bar carrying a plurality oi rollers normally running on a part of each numeral wheel in the meter group, said numeral wheels each having a depression therein to receive said rollers and a locking member consisting of a movably mounted plunger-carried by said bar and adapted to engage a cooperating portion of said driving means, when all of said rollers have moved into said depressions in the numeral wheels.

7. In a mechanism tor a permit mailmachine, accusing carrying groups of numeral wheels completely enclosed therein and a printing die having at least the die per se exposed to come into contact with passing, mail matter; said casing carrying trip mechanism operated by the passing mail to allow the die to turn, means for turning the die including clutch members, driving means betweei said groups of numeral wheels, and the means tor turning the die, and means for locking said driving means against further forward movement only when all the wheels of one group of numeral wheels have been turned to zero, and further means for preventing said die from being turned backward sullicient to make an impression on any mail matter.

8. In a mechanism for a permit mail machine, a casing carrying groups of numeral wheels completely enclosed therein and a printing die having at least the die per se exposed to come into contact with passing mail matter; said casing carrying trip mechanism operated by the passing mail to allow the die to turn, means for turning the die including clutch members, driving meansbetween said groups of numeral wheels, and the means for turning the die, comprising, intercolinect-ed gear wheels, means for locking said ggear wheels including; a pivoted bar having a series of rolls thereon, each or said rolls adapted to run on a part of its as sociated numeral wheel, said nun'ieral wheels having depressions therein to receive said rolls when said wheels have all been turned to zero, a plunger on the bar, one of said gear wheels havinyra slot therein to receive the end of said plunger when the bar is tilted by said rolls dropping into the depression substantially as described.

9. In a mechanism for a permit mail ma chine, a casing carrying groups of numeral wheels completely enclosed therein and a associated printing die having at least the die per se exposed to come into contact with passing mail matter, said casing carrying trip mechanism operated by the passing mail to allow the die to turn, means :for turning the die ineluding clutch members, driving means between said groups of numeral wheels, and the means for turning the die, comprising interconnected gear wheels, means for loching said gear wheels including; a pivoted bar having .a series of rolls thereon, each of said rolls adapted to run on a part oi its numeral wheel, said numeral wheels having depressions therein to receive said rolls when said wheels have all been turned to zero, a plunger on the bar, one oi said gear wheels having a slot therein to receive the end of said plunger when the bar is tilted by said rolls dropping into the depression substantially as (.ltJEClllJGtl, and further means including a ratchet wheel on the gear having said slot and a pawl to engage said ratchet for preventing said die from being turned baclnvard suliicient to make an impression on any mail matter.

10. In a combination apparatus -ior a per mil; mail machine, a casing;' carrying in exposed position, a printing die, and in unexposed position registering devices consisting of two groups of numeral wheels, one group of wheels having notches therein, a bar carrying a plurality 0t rollers, a locking; member carried by the bar, a gear wheel operatively connected between the printing die and the registering device and having means for engaging said locking member, said bar being, operated to more said locking member into en gap'cment with its engaging means on said gear wheel, when all the numeral wheels have been turned to zero.

11. In a combination apparatus for a permit mail machine, a casing carrying in exposed position, a printing die, and in unexposed position registering devices consisting of two groups of numeral wheels, one group of wheels having notches therein, a bar carrying a plurality of rollers, a locking member carried by the bar, a gear wheel (meratively connected between the printing die and the registering device and having means for engaging said locking member, said bar being); operated to move said lockingmember into engagement with its engaging means on said near wheeh when all the numeral wheels have been turned to zero, and a lever connected to said bar for mo vine said rollers out of said notches whereby the numeral wheels may be reset to a predetermined figure, said lever being accessible only from the inside of the casing.

12. In a coml'iination apparatus for a permit mail machine, a casing carrying in exposed position, a printing die, and in unenposed position registering devices camels-tint; of two groups of numeral wheels, each unlfltl liiU meral wheel of one group consisting of; a

hollow member having depressed numbers on its periphery, a ratchet Wheel within and fastened to sa1d hollow member, a gear I wheel without the hollow member, a pawl device and having means for engaging said locking member, said bar being operated to move said locking member into engagement with its engaging means on said gear wheel when all the numeral wheels have been turned to zero, and a lever connected to said bar for moving said rollers out of said notches whereby through the medium of said ratchets their numeralwheels may be reset to a predetermined figure, said lever being enclosed within the casing as and for the purpose described.

18. A unitmechanism for a mail marking and registering machine comprising, the combination of a mail stamping device and means responsive to the passage of mail for bringing into action said stamping device and registering devices driven from a common means comprising a part of said stampdevice. 1

l-l. A unit mechanism for a mail marking and registering machine comprising, the combination of a mail stamping device and means responsive to the passage of mail for bringing into action said stamping device, registering devices driven from a common means comprising a part of said stamping device, and means acting on one of the ivcn members for said registering devices for locking both the stamping device and the registering devices.

'15. A unit mechanism for a mail marking and registering machine comprising, the combination of registering devices enclosed within a casing having extensions and a mail stamping device, permanently carried by said extensions and removable only with the casing from said machine, said casing also carrying tripping devices actuated by the passage of mail matter for controlling the movement of said stamping device.

16. In a device of the class described, a combined printing and registering mechanism bodily removable and replaceable on a mail. marking machine, said combined mechanism including a trip mechanism actuated by the mail matter passing through the machine, said trip mechanism controlling the operation of said printing part of the mechanism.

17. In a device of the class described, a

combined printing and registering mechanism bodily removable and replaceableon a mail marking machine, said combined mechanism including a trip mechanism actuated by the mail matter passing through the machine, said trip mechanism controlling the operation of said printing part oi the mechanism, and means associated with the registering mechanism for locking both the printing and re 'stering mechanism after a number oi prin nism. a

18 For a permit mail machine including; a man-stamping dev ce, a tripping device actuated on passage of a piece of mailmatter for controlling the stamping device, an

operating member for the stamping device operation"; have been performed as set up on the registering mocha-- Til and means for locking the stamping device at a predetermined time; a pair of clutch de vices arranged at separated points for forming. a part of a driving means for said stamping device and means for readily adjusting the clutching effort of said clutch devices.

19. In a device of the class described, a

combined printing and registering mechanism bodily removable and replaceable on a mail marking machine, said combined mechanism including a trip mechanism actuated by the mail matter passing through the ma chine, said trip mechanism controlling the operation oi said printing part of the mechanism, and a clutch controlled means for driving both the printing and registering mechanism permanently associated there with and included as a part of the unitary mechanism.

20. In a mechanism for a mail marking and registering machine, a unitary structure adapted to be slid into a receptacle in said machine, and automatically make a driving connection therewith, said structure comprising; a casing enclosing registering de' vices and carrying a printing device permanently and drivingly connected with the registering devices and tripping devices actuated by the passage of mail matter carried by the casing for controlling the action of the printing device as the mail matter passes through the machine.

21. For a permit mail machine including; a mail stamping device, a tripping device actuated on passage of a piece of mail matter for controlling the stamping device, an operating member for the stamping de vice and means for locking the stamping device at a predetermined time; a divided clutch for completing a driving connection to the stamping device and associated mechanism.

22. For a permit mail machine including; a mail stamping device, a tripping device actuated on passage of a piece of mail matter for controlling the stamping device and Ice means for locking the stamping device at a predetermined time; a clutch having a part formed on the head of the stampin device per se and another part between the liead of a main drive shaft and a sleeve carried by the stamping device said sleeve carrying a gear for driving other mechanism as described.

23. For a mail marking and registering machine, including the combination of registering devices enclosed Within a casing having extensions and a mail stamping device, permanently carried by said extensions and removable only with the casing from said machine, said stamping device, comprising; a hollow spindle, a printing drum carried by said spindle, a driving shaft having a sIotted head and av bore at the opposite end and a slot across the bore, a flanged member positioned on the shaft above said drum and having a pin passing through said slot, a friction element between said flanged member and the head of the drum, a friction element between said shaft head and the end of said hollow spindle and adjustable means positioned in the shaft bore and acting on said pin to vary the friction at said friction element for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof, we ailix our signatin-es.

J OHN A. MITCHELL. LAWRENCE J. ZAHN. 

